is my fork tweaked?

[redbiker]

I have a Honda CX500 that I dropped. How do I know if my fork is tweaked? The headlight is off center and maybe the turn signals. Looks like the headlight mounting ears got pushed. the ears are welded on. I can see a crinkle in the ear on the left ear so it's pushed to the left. It looks like the brake rotor is too close to the fork. If there's any wheel wobble at all it would probably rub on the fork. I may have to wait till the weekend before I have some help to get the front wheel in the air to spin it and see. the rotor is on the left side of the wheel which would lead me to think they forks would be twisted to the left.

What's the best way to bend the ears back in alignment? How do I to check if the forks are bent?

Thanks.

 

[my-79-750-k]

Buy new ears, they're super cheap. As far as the forks being bent, you could check it with a straightedge, or if you know someone with a lathe, they could dial it in round at the top and bottom and check the middle for runout (bend).

 

[hillsy]

Jack the front of the bike up, take off the front wheel / gaurd, loosen the forks at the trees and turn the fork uppers in the clamps whilst holding the lowers still. If the lowers move in any lateral direction (at the axle) your forks are bent.

As for the headlight ears, take them off and beat them back into shape.